Snow brings further UK travel disruption

Widespread disruption over the weekend is expected on key transport routes across the UK countries of England and Wales, in the wake of significant overnight snowfall matched by sub-zero temperatures.

British motorists have been warned of treacherous conditions on the road after over 6cm of snow blanketed many regions while temperatures plummeted to -4C. These freezing conditions are highly-expected to not let up over the coming days with lows of -9C being reached, bringing a close to a testing week of Arctic-like weather.

Last night, snow started falling in northern England and parts of the Midlands before it gradually hit the home counties, the south-east, London, the south-west, Wales, and East Anglia. Victoria Kettley, one of Meteogroup’s forecasters, said that snow started around 1800 before it intensified, with the heaviest falls of 5cm and 6cm experienced in South Yorkshire and Leicestershire.

The Met Office issued a “yellow” warning for severe weather and instructed people to remain aware of snowy and icy conditions in nearly every part of England in addition to south Wales. Also, there is a level-three alert for cold weather alert in place. Kettley added that the snow might return to southwestern England and Wales today with the rest of Britain remaining dry yet bitterly cold.

Surrey police have advised people to exert extreme caution when driving through icy conditions 5cm of snow predicted to fall by the end of Friday morning’s rush hour. A spokesman from the force asked all local residents to check on elderly neighbours, friends, and relatives that might now be vulnerable.